Thiriyaya Girihandu Seya

Situated about 29 miles north of Trincomalee, it was not an easy journey through bumpy dusty roads, hostile villages, jungle and ferry to travel to Thiriyaya Girihandu Seya some time ago. After the War this area has seen drastic development specially the road network and now traveling to Thiriyaya is not different to any other popular heritage destination in the country. The oldest incident connected with the site is etched in an 8th century Sanskrit epigraph found at the site which refers to a shrine named Girikandicaitya being established on the hill-top by a company of merchants headed by Tapassu and Bhallika. As such this shrine would have been built during the lifetime of Lord Buddha. Scholars attribute it to possibly the The present structure or the ruins of the vatadage consisting of a small stupa encircled by two concentric circles of stone pillars and a retaining wall of stone slabs, however is believed to have evolved with time.

Thiriyaya Girihandu Seya

The oldest incident connected with the site is etched in an 8th century Sanskrit epigraph found at the site which refers to a shrine named Girikandicaitya being established on the hill-top by a company of merchants headed by Tapassu and Bhallika.

According to the Nidanakatha and Mahavagga a book on the Vinaya, Tapassu and Bhallika were two brother merchants who offered some victuals to the Buddha, in the 8th week after his enlightenment. They are considered the first lay disciples of Lord Buddha who sought the refuge of the Master and the Dhamma. And on request the Master gifted them with a handful of hair relics. Tradition claims that the two merchants enshrined the holy relics and built a shrine here.

As such this shrine would have been built during the lifetime of Lord Buddha. Scholars attribute it to possibly the c. The present structure or the ruins of the vatadage consisting of a small stupa encircled by two concentric circles of stone pillars and a retaining wall of stone slabs, however is believed to have evolved with time.

A detail description of the overall Stupaghara architecture including vatadages of Sri Lanka can be found here.

Professor Paranavitana states that the vatadage at Thiriyaya while conforming to the general pattern of the vatadage, had architectural features which have not been noticed at any other shrine of this class.